U.S. patent application number 14/613705 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for fishing spinning reel.
This patent application is currently assigned to Globeride, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Globeride, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kazuyuki Matsuda.
Application Number | 20150216155 14/613705 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52473742 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150216155 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsuda; Kazuyuki |
August 6, 2015 |
FISHING SPINNING REEL
Abstract
According to one aspect of the disclosure, it is possible to
provide a fishing spinning reel that can securely prevent
penetration of seawater and foreign substances into a bearing, have
a sufficient durability for use in harsh environments, a fine
rotational performance, and easy handling and maintenance. In the
fishing spinning reel of the disclosure, a magnetic fluid sealed
bearing in which a magnetic fluid seal is provided integrally with
a bearing, and a line roller is rotatably supported on a supporting
shaft through the magnetic fluid sealed bearing. A magnetic fluid
seal is provided on both sides of a bearing body of the bearing.
Moreover, a magnetic fluid of the magnetic fluid seal includes an
outer ring magnet fluid retained between an outer ring and a
magnet, and an inner ring magnetic fluid retained between the inner
ring and a retaining plate.
Inventors: |
Matsuda; Kazuyuki; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Globeride, Inc. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Globeride, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
52473742 |
Appl. No.: |
14/613705 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/321 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 33/765 20130101;
F16C 19/06 20130101; A01K 89/011221 20150501; A01K 89/0193
20150501; A01K 89/01085 20150501; A01K 89/0108 20130101; A01K
89/011223 20150501 |
International
Class: |
A01K 89/00 20060101
A01K089/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 6, 2014 |
JP |
2014-021385 |
Claims
1. A fishing spinning reel, comprising: a rotor rotated by
rotational operation of a handle to wind a fishing line around a
spool; a line roller through which the fishing line is guided to
the spool; a magnetic fluid sealed bearing in which a magnetic
fluid seal is provided integrally with a bearing, wherein the line
roller is rotatably supported on a supporting shaft through the
magnetic fluid sealed bearing, the magnetic fluid sealed bearing
comprising: a bearing body having an inner ring made of a magnetic
material, an outer ring made of a magnetic material, and a rolling
member placed between the inner ring and the outer ring so as to be
rollable; and a magnetic fluid seal retained integrally with the
bearing body and forming a magnetic circuit with the inner ring or
the outer ring to seal an inside of the bearing body; wherein the
magnetic fluid seal includes a magnet forming the magnetic circuit
with the inner ring or the outer ring, a retaining plate retaining
the magnet, and a magnetic fluid retained between the inner ring or
the outer ring and the retaining plate or the magnet.
2. The fishing spinning reel of claim 1, wherein the magnetic fluid
seal is provided on both sides of the bearing body.
3. The fishing spinning reel of claim 1, wherein the magnetic fluid
includes an outer ring magnet fluid retained between the outer ring
and the retaining plate or the magnet, and an inner ring magnetic
fluid retained between the inner ring and the retaining plate or
the magnet.
4. The fishing spinning reel of claim 1, wherein the bearing body
is supported on the supporting shaft without being pressed in an
axial direction of the supporting shaft.
5. The fishing spinning reel of claim 1, further comprising: a
support member attached on the supporting shaft to support a bail,
wherein a clearance is provided between the magnetic fluid of the
magnetic fluid seal and a portion of the support member facing the
magnetic fluid to prevent the magnetic fluid from adhering to the
support member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application Serial No. 2014-021385
(filed on Feb. 6, 2014), the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a fishing spinning reel
having a magnetic fluid sealed bearing in which a magnetic fluid
seal is provided integrally with the bearing, more particularly, to
a fishing spinning reel in which a line roller for guiding a
fishing line to a spool is supported by the magnetic fluid sealed
bearing.
BACKGROUND
[0003] There have been conventionally known fishing reels including
a magnetic seal mechanism using a magnetic fluid applied to a
bearing. For instance, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2013-97 (the "97 Publication") discloses a support structure of a
line roller in which the line roller is rotatably supported on a
supporting shaft through a bearing for guiding a fishing line to a
spool. The '97 Publication also describes a magnetic seal mechanism
in which a magnetic fluid is retained by using a magnetic circuit
formed between an outer ring of the bearing and a magnet provided
on a side of the bearing.
[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-110 (the
"110 Publication") discloses a fishing reel in which a drive shaft
that is rotated by handle operation is rotatably supported by a
magnetic fluid sealed bearing in which a magnetic fluid seal is
provided integrally with the bearing.
[0005] However, in the sealed bearing structure of the '97
Publication, only one side of the bearing is magnetically sealed so
that seawater could penetrate through a fitting portion between an
inner ring of the bearing and the supporting shaft, a fitting
portion between an outer ring of the bearing and the line roller,
and a portion where a screw is clamped. The seawater in the bearing
may degrade smoothness of the bearing and therefore the sealing
structure of the '97 Publication is not sufficient for a support
member of a fishing line guide used in a harsh environment.
[0006] Moreover, in the sealed bearing structure of the '97
Publication, the magnetic seal mechanism is arranged adjacent to
the side of the bearing so that it can be troublesome to handle it
and to perform maintenance. In addition, because only the one side
of the bearing is magnetically sealed, both sides of the inner ring
are pressed toward the shaft in order to enhance a waterproof
property. Accordingly a shear force in the axial direction works on
the inner and outer rings of the bearing, and an excessive force
could work on the bearing, which slows rotation of the line
roller.
[0007] Whereas in the sealed bearing structure of the '110
Publication, the drive shaft that is rotated by handle operation is
rotatably supported by the magnetic fluid sealed bearing in which
the magnetic fluid seal is provided integrally with the bearing so
that it can be easy to handle and to perform maintenance. However,
this sealing is only for the bearing that supports the drive shaft
rotated by the handle operations and is not for a bearing of a
rapidly-rotating line roller that imparts a strong tension to a
fishing line to guide the fishing line to the spool. Moreover, like
the one disclosed in the '97 Publication, since only the one side
of the bearing is magnetically sealed so there is the same drawback
as the one described above with reference to the '97
Publication.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure addresses the above drawbacks. One
object thereof is to provide a fishing spinning reel that can
securely prevent penetration of seawater and foreign substances
into the bearing, and have a sufficient durability for use in harsh
environments, a fine rotational performance, and easy handling and
maintenance.
[0009] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fishing
spinning reel includes a rotor rotated by rotational operation of a
handle to wind a fishing line around a spool, a line roller through
which the fishing line is guided to the spool, a magnetic fluid
sealed bearing in which a magnetic fluid seal is provided
integrally with a bearing. The line roller is rotatably supported
on a supporting shaft through the magnetic fluid sealed bearing.
The magnetic fluid sealed bearing includes a bearing body having an
inner ring made of a magnetic material, an outer ring made of a
magnetic material, and a rolling member placed between the inner
ring and the outer ring so as to be rollable, and a magnetic fluid
seal retained integrally with the bearing body and forming a
magnetic circuit with the inner ring or the outer ring to seal an
inside of the bearing body. The magnetic fluid seal includes a
magnet forming the magnetic circuit with the inner ring or the
outer ring, a retaining plate retaining the magnet, and a magnetic
fluid retained between the inner ring or the outer ring and the
retaining plate or the magnet.
[0010] According to the fishing spinning reel as described above,
the line roller is rotatably supported on the supporting shaft
through the magnetic fluid sealed bearing in which the magnetic
fluid seal is provided integrally with the bearing. Therefore, it
is possible to improve the easiness of handling and maintenance.
(Especially for the rapidly-rotating line roller that imparts a
strong tension to a fishing line to guide the fishing line to the
spool, various foreign substances and solids of seawater and the
like are adhered around the supporting portion of the line roller
as actual fishing is repeatedly performed. So easiness of
maintenance is very beneficial.) In addition, it is possible to
securely seal the bearing of the line roller that rotates rapidly
and imparts a strong tension to a fishing line to guide the fishing
line to the spool. Moreover, because the magnetic fluid sealed
bearing is unitized, it is not necessary to secure a space for
sealing in addition to a space for placing the bearing.
Accordingly, only small space is necessary to install the seal and
the bearing. Further, there is no need of installing a magnetic
sealing mechanism separately from the bearings, resulting in good
built-in work efficiency and increased productivity (that is,
reduced built-in work time and production costs).
[0011] It is preferable that the magnetic fluid seal be provided on
both sides of the bearing body. Therefore, it would be very
advantageous for the line roller 23 that is used in harsh
environments, rotates rapidly and guides a fishing line to which
seawater, foreign substances and the like are adhered to the spool
5. In other words, by providing the magnetic fluid seal on the both
sides of the baring body, it is ensured to prevent seawater and the
like from penetrating inside the bearing through a fitting portion
between the inner ring of the bearing and the supporting shaft, a
fitting portion between the outer ring of the bearing and the line
roller, and a portion where the screw is clamped. Therefore it is
possible to decrease the chance that the seawater enters into the
bearing and degrades smoothness of the bearing. This advantageous
effect can be enhanced by providing the magnetic fluid to both of
the inner and outer rings. More specifically, it can be enhanced by
providing an outer ring magnet fluid retained between the outer
ring and the magnet, and an inner ring magnetic fluid retained
between the inner ring and the retaining plate.
[0012] When the magnetic fluid seal is provided on the both sides
of the bearing body, both sides of the inner ring does not have to
be press-fitted in the axial direction in order to enhance the
waterproof property, which has been described above with reference
to the '97 Publication (the bearing body can be supported on the
supporting shaft without pressing the bearing body in the axial
direction of the supporting shaft (for example, with a prescribed
play in the axial direction)). Therefore, a shear force in the
axial direction does not work on the inner and outer rings of the
bearing. Consequently, it is possible to smooth the rotation of the
bearing and accordingly the rotation of the line roller, resulting
in enhancement of the rotation performance of the line roller.
[0013] Moreover, in the above-described configuration, it is
preferable that a clearance be provided between the magnetic fluid
of the magnetic fluid seal and a portion of the bail support member
facing the magnetic fluid in order to prevent the magnetic fluid
from adhering to the support member. The clearance may be formed in
any way such as by providing a space (a groove) in the support
member for allowing the magnetic fluid to flow thereto. By
providing the clearance, when the magnetic fluid swells outward due
to capillary action, centrifugal force generated by the rapid
rotation of the rotor, pressure change caused by thermal expansion
or the like, it is possible to prevent the swelling magnetic fluid
from being adhered to parts therearound, in particular, the support
member. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the magnetic fluid
in the bearing from being lost and the fine sealing property can be
maintained.
[0014] According to one aspect of the disclosure, it is possible to
provide a fishing spinning reel that can securely prevent
penetration of seawater and foreign substances into a bearing, and
have a sufficient durability for use in harsh environments, a fine
rotational performance, and easy handling and maintenance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a whole fishing spinning reel
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the A-A line in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view including an essential
portion shown in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a modification
example of the one shown in FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] An Embodiment of a fishing spinning reel according to an
aspect of the disclosure will be hereinafter described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a fishing spinning reel according to
an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the fishing
spinning reel according to the embodiment includes a reel body 1. A
drive gear (not shown) may be provided in the reel body 1. The
drive gear is rotated by a rotational operation of a handle 3 and
meshes with a pinion. A spool shaft (not shown) may be inserted
through the pinion in the axial direction, and a spool 5 around
which a fishing line is wound may be rotatably attached to a tip of
the spool shaft. The spool shaft (the spool 5) may be configured to
move back and forth by rotation of the drive gear through an
oscillating mechanism (not shown) that engages with the drive
gear.
[0021] A rotor 7 may be disposed on a tip of the pinion. The rotor
7 may rotate in conjunction with the pinion and a pair of support
arms 9 may be provided on the rotor 7. A bail 13 may be provided on
the support arms 9 respectively. The bail 13 may be rotatably
supported through a support member 11 such that it can be switched
between a fishing-line releasing state and a fishing-line winding
state, Between one of the supporting members 11 and an end of the
corresponding bail 13, a fishing line guide 15 for guiding a
fishing line to the spool 5 may be disposed, which will be
hereunder described.
[0022] When the handle 3 is rotationally operated in this a
configuration, the rotational movement of the handle is transmitted
to the pinion through the drive gear, and the rotor 7 is rotated
through the pinion. At the same time, the rotational movement is
transmitted to the spool shaft through the above-described
oscillating mechanism and the spool 5 is moved back and forth. In
this manner, a fishing line is evenly wound around the spool 5
through the fishing line guide 15.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fishing line guide 15 may
include a line slider 21 that may be fastened on one of the support
members 11 with a screw 19. The line slider 21 may have a support
portion (supporting shaft) 17 that extends in the axial direction
such that the screw 19 is installed therein. The support portion 17
may be formed integrally with the line slider 21 as illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3, or may be formed integrally with the support member
11.
[0024] A proximal end of the bail 13 may be connected with the line
slier 21. When the bail 13 is rotated to the fishing line winding
state to initiate winding of a fishing line, the fishing line is
guided from the bail 13 through the line 21 to a line roller 23
which is one of the components of the fishing line guide 15.
[0025] The line roller 23 may be rotatably supported by the support
portion 17 through a collar 27 and a magnetic fluid sealed bearing
25 in which the magnetic fluid seal is provided integrally with the
bearing, which will be hereunder described. In this embodiment, the
line roller 23 may be hollow and may have a substantially
cylindrical shape and its outer surface may be smoothed. According
to this configuration, the fishing line guided from the bail 13
through the line slider 21 passes smoothly on the outer surface of
the line roller 23 to the spool 5 where the fishing line is wounded
around. The outer shape of the line roller 23 is not particularly
limited.
[0026] Providing the collar 27 is advantageous in the embodiment.
More specifically, when two magnetic fluid sealed bearings 25 are
disposed in parallel to support line rollers 23 rotatably, a size
in the axial direction is increased by the bearings that house the
magnetic seal mechanism. However, the axial direction size can be
made smaller by replacing one of the bearings 25 with the collar 27
to support the line roller 23, and at the same time the line roller
23 can be stably supported. In this case, the collar 27 is
preferably formed of resin in order to balance the rapid rotation
of the rotor by reducing the weight. However, the collar 27 may be
alternatively made of metal such as aluminum.
[0027] The magnetic fluid sealed bearing 25 and the collar 27 may
be disposed between an inner surface of the line roller 23 and the
outer surface of the support portion 17, and they are arranged
alongside in the axial direction (a direction along the rotational
axis of the line roller 23) with a certain space therebetween.
[0028] Opposing ends (inner ends) of the magnetic fluid sealed
bearing 25 and the collar 27 that face to each other contact with
either end of a catch 29 formed as a projecting portion of the
inner surface of the line roller 23. An outer end of the collar 27
faces a step catch 33 formed on the support portion 17 with a
prescribed gap "c" (for example, the size of the gap is 0.1 to 0.2
mm, see, in particular, FIG. 3). An outer end of the magnetic fluid
sealed bearing 25 (more specifically, an inner ring 30a of a
bearing body 30 in the magnetic fluid sealed bearing 25, which will
be hereunder described) contacts with a fitted catch 37 which is
formed on the support member 11 and fitted to an end of the support
portion 17 without pressure in the axial direction (the axial
direction of the support portion 17). That is, the magnetic fluid
sealed bearing 25 (or an assembly including the magnetic fluid
sealed bearing 25, the collar 27, and the line roller 23) is
supported on the support portion 17 without pressure in the axial
direction of the support portion 17 but with a play (the gap "c")
in the axial direction. In other words, displacement of the
magnetic fluid sealed bearing 25 and the collar 27 in the axial
direction is restricted by the catches 29, 33, 37 with a prescribed
play (the gap "c") in the axial direction.
[0029] The magnetic fluid sealed bearing 25 disposed in the fishing
line guide 15 will be now described. As clearly illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the magnetic fluid sealed bearing 25 may include the
bearing body 30 including the cylindrical inner ring 30a, an
cylindrical outer ring 30b surrounding the inner ring 30a, multiple
rolling members (rolling elements) 30c disposed between the inner
ring 30a and the outer ring 30b.
[0030] In the embodiment, the inner ring 30a, the outer ring 30b,
and the rolling members 30c may be formed of a magnetic material
such as chrome-based stainless steel (SUS440C). However, the
rolling members 30c may not necessarily be formed of magnetic
materials.
[0031] At the sides of the inner and outer rings 30a, 30b having an
opening, a magnetic fluid seal 40 that may be retained integrally
with the bearing body 30 and form a magnetic circuit with the inner
ring 30a or the outer ring 30b is provided to seal the inside of
the bearing body 30. In this embodiment, the same magnetic fluid
seal 40 is provided on the openings at either side of the inner and
outer rings 30a, 30b. For the sake of convenience, only one side
(the left side one in FIGS. 2 and 3) will be hereunder
described.
[0032] The magnetic fluid seal 40 may include a ring-shaped magnet
(hereinafter referred to as the "magnet") 42 that forms a magnetic
circuit with the inner ring 30a or the outer ring 30b, a
ring-shaped retaining plate (a "polar plate") 44 disposed on the
axially outer side surface of the magnet 42 (retaining the magnet
42), and magnetic fluids 45 retained in the magnetic circuit formed
by the magnet 42 (retained between the inner ring 30a or the outer
ring 30b and the retaining plate 44 or the magnet 42). These
members may constitute a function of sealing for shutting out
seawater, foreign substances, etc. from the rolling members 30c.
More specifically, the magnetic fluids 45 may include an outer ring
magnet fluid 45b that is retained between the outer ring 30b and
the retaining plate 44 or the magnet 42 (between the outer ring 30b
and the magnet 42 in this embodiment), and an inner ring magnetic
fluid 45a retained between the inner ring 30a and the retaining
plate 44 or the magnet 42 (between the inner ring 30a and the
retaining plate 44 in this embodiment).
[0033] The magnet 42 may be a permanent magnet having a high flux
density and a high magnetism, such as a neodymium magnet prepared
by sintering. The magnet 42 may be previously magnetized such that
the magnetic poles (the S-pole, the N-pole) point to the axial
directions (the axial direction of the bearing 25). On the axially
outer side surface of the magnet 42 may be disposed the retaining
plate 44. The retaining plate 44 may be formed of a magnetic
material such as chrome-based stainless steel (SUS440C).
[0034] Although the magnet 42 and the retaining plate 44 are bonded
to each other in advance, they may be not. When these two elements
are previously bonded to each other, the magnet 42 can be readily
positioned or centered, and the magnet 42 and the retaining plate
44 are integrated into a unit that can be readily built in.
[0035] The outer ring magnetic fluid 45a and the inner ring
magnetic fluid 45b may be prepared by dispersing magnetic fine
particles such as Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 into a base oil using a
surfactant in a stable state so as to have viscosity and react with
a magnet when it is brought close thereto. Thus, the magnetic
fluids 45a, 45b may be stably retained in position by the magnetic
circuits formed between the magnet 42, and the inner and outer
rings 30a, 30b made of a magnetic material and the retaining plate
44.
[0036] Moreover, a step 60 may be projected from the inner surface
of the outer ring 30b toward the rolling members 30c. Due to the
presence of the step 30b, the outer ring 30b may include a thin
region 30bA near the both openings and a thick region 30bB near the
rolling members. Thus, the distance between the inner ring and the
outer ring is larger in the axially outer regions than in the
axially inner region. This step 60 is formed to generate a gap
(step gap) to retain the magnetic fluid 45. In this embodiment, the
step 60 is formed such that a surface 60a vertical to the axial
direction is formed (with this vertical surface, the magnet 42 can
be attached, aligned and fixed thereto). As in the embodiment, the
step may include a staircase or may be sloped instead of having the
vertical surface as long as the magnetic fluid 45 can be stably
retained between the step and the magnet 42. When the step has a
sloped surface, not only the magnetic fluid 45 can be retained but
also alignment of the magnet 42 is possible.
[0037] In the embodiment, a step 85 is further provided on the end
surface of the inner ring 30a. The step 85 is formed in a staircase
pattern that includes a surface 86 vertical to the axial direction
of the bearing 25. The retaining plate 44 is pressed and placed in
a position where an inner edge 80 of the step 85 (an upper edge of
the step 85 or an upper edge of the vertical surface 86) is
situated within a thickness of the retaining plate 44 in the axial
direction (between the point A (an outer edge in the width
direction of the retaining plate 44) and the point B (an inner edge
in the width direction of the retaining plate 44). By forming the
step in such a staircase pattern, the magnetic fluid 45a does not
swell over an end surface 44a of the retaining plate 44 and is
retained in the recessed position between the retaining plate 44
and the vertical surface 86. If the inner edge 80 is situated more
inner side of the bearing from the point B, the magnetic fluid 45a
cannot be securely retained between the retaining plate 44 and the
inner ring 30a. Moreover if the inner edge 80 is situated more
outer side of the bearing from the point A, the magnetic fluid 45a
swells and can easily contact with fingers when the figures hold
the outer ring 30b and the inner ring 30a.
[0038] It is preferable that the vertical surface 86 of the
above-described step 85 have a radial thickness D that is larger
than a gap G between the inner end surface of the retaining plate
44 and the inner edge 80. In other words, the radial thickness D is
not particularly limited but when a certain distance is secured
(the thickness D is set larger than the gap G), swelling of the
magnetic fluid 45a can be reduced and it is possible to effectively
prevent the magnetic fluid from contacting a finger when the finger
touches the end portion of the inner ring 30a.
[0039] The retaining plate 44 may have an outer diameter slightly
larger than the inner diameter of the outer ring 30b (the inner
surface of the thin region 30bA) and may be configured to be
press-fitted into the opening of the outer ring 30b along with the
magnet 42 bonded thereto. The retaining plate 44 may be formed to
have a size so as to create a clearance with the outer surface of
the inner ring 30a when press-fitted into the outer ring 30b along
with the magnet 42 bonded to the polar plate 24. The length of the
magnet 42 and the retaining plate 44 in the axial direction is set
to create a clearance with the vertical surface 60a of the step 60
when they are press-fitted.
[0040] As stated above, when the retaining plate 44 with the magnet
42 magnetized such that the magnetic poles point to the axial
directions is press-fitted into the outer ring 30b, magnetic flux
is formed at the inner ring 30a and the outer ring 30b
symmetrically with respect to the axial direction. Thus, the
clearance between the retaining plate 44 and the inner ring 30a and
the clearance between the magnet 42 and the outer ring 30b can
retain the inner ring magnetic fluid 45a and the outer ring
magnetic fluid 45b, respectively.
[0041] Moreover, a clearance "s" is provided between the magnetic
fluid 45 (the inner ring magnetic fluid 45a in this embodiment) of
the magnetic fluid seal 40 and a portion of the support member 11
facing the magnetic fluid 45a in order to prevent the magnetic
fluid 45a from adhering to the support member 11. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clearance "s" is formed by
forming a groove in the support member 11 for allowing the magnetic
fluid to flow thereto. However, the clearance "s" may be formed in
any way. Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,
the groove formed in the support member 11 is a step groove that
has a vertical surface. Alternatively, the groove may be a groove
having an inclined surface 11a as shown in FIG. 4. When such a
clearance (groove) is provided, the magnetic fluid sealing effect
is sufficiently exerted even when the fishing reel is used in harsh
environments.
[0042] Moreover, in the embodiment, a receiving portion 70 that
receives the magnetic fluid 45 scattered by centrifugal force
generated by the rotation of the rotor may be provided in a
position where the magnetic fluid is expected to be scattered. For
example, the receiving portion 70 may be provided at a portion of
the line roller 23 within an area where magnetic force of the
magnet 42 affects, in particular, at an inner surface of the end
portion of the line roller 23. The receiving portion 70 may be
formed as a recessed groove in the embodiment, and serve as a
reservoir for the magnetic fluid.
[0043] As described above, according to the fishing spinning reel
of the embodiment, the line roller 23 is rotatably supported on the
support portion (supporting shaft) 17 through the magnetic fluid
sealed bearing 25 in which the magnetic fluid seal is provided
integrally with the bearing. Therefore, it is possible to improve
the easiness of handling and maintenance. (Especially for the
rapidly-rotating line roller 23 that imparts a strong tension to a
fishing line to guide the fishing line to the spool 5, various
foreign substances and solids of seawater and the like are adhered
around the supporting portion of the line roller 23 as actual
fishing is repeatedly performed. So easiness of maintenance is very
beneficial.) In addition, it is possible to securely seal the
bearing of the line roller 23 that rotates rapidly and imparts a
strong tension to a fishing line to guide the fishing line to the
spool 5. Moreover, because the magnetic fluid sealed bearing 25 is
unitized, it is not necessary to secure a space for sealing in
addition to a space for placing the bearing. Accordingly, only a
small space is necessary to install the seal and the bearing.
Further, there is no need of installing a magnetic sealing
mechanism separately from the bearings, resulting in good built-in
work efficiency and increased productivity (that is, reduced
built-in work time and production costs).
[0044] Moreover, according to the embodiment, the magnetic fluid
seal 40 is provided on the both sides of the bearing body 30.
Therefore, it would be very advantageous for the line roller 23
that is used in harsh environments, rotates rapidly and guides a
fishing line to which seawater, foreign substances and the like are
adhered to the spool 5. In other words, by providing the magnetic
fluid seal 40 on the both sides of the baring body 30, it is
ensured to prevent seawater and the like from penetrating inside
the bearing 25 through a fitting portion between the inner ring 30a
of the bearing 25 and the support portion 17, a fitting portion
between the outer ring 30b of the bearing 25 and the line roller
23, and a portion where the screw 19 is clamped. Therefore it is
possible to decrease the chance that the seawater enters into the
bearing 25 and degrades smoothness of the bearing. This
advantageous effect can be enhanced by providing the magnetic fluid
45a, 45b to both of the inner and outer rings 30a, 30b.
[0045] When the magnetic fluid seal 40 is provided on the both
sides of the bearing body 30 as described in the embodiment, both
sides of the inner ring does not have to be press-fitted in the
axial direction in order to enhance the waterproof property, which
has been described above with reference to the '97 Publication
which discloses the one-side sealed bearing structure. In the
present embodiment as described above, the bearing body 30 is not
pressed toward the axial direction of the supporting shaft but
supported on the support portion 17 (with the prescribed play "c"
in the axial direction, see FIG. 3). Therefore, a shear force in
the axial direction does not work on the inner and outer rings 30a,
30b of the bearing 25. Consequently, it is possible to smooth the
rotation of the bearing 25 and accordingly the rotation of the line
roller 23, resulting in enhancement of the rotation performance of
the line roller 23.
[0046] Moreover, in the embodiment, the clearance "s" is provided
between the magnetic fluid 45 of the magnetic fluid seal 40 and the
portion of the bail support member 11 facing the magnetic fluid 45
in order to prevent the magnetic fluid 45 from adhering to the
support member 11. By providing the clearance "s", when the
magnetic fluid 45 swells outward due to capillary action,
centrifugal force generated by the rapid rotation of the rotor,
pressure change caused by thermal expansion or the like, it is
possible to prevent the swelling magnetic fluid 45 from being
adhered to the support member 11. Accordingly, it is possible to
prevent the magnetic fluid 45 in the bearing 25 from being lost and
the fine sealing property can be maintained.
[0047] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment
but is capable of various modification within the purport thereof.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the outer ring
magnetic fluid 45b is retained between the outer ring 30b and the
magnet 42. Alternatively, the outer ring magnetic fluid 45b may be
retained between the outer ring 30b and the retaining plate 44.
Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the inner ring
magnetic fluid 45a is retained between the inner ring 30a and the
retaining plate 44. Alternatively, the inner ring magnetic fluid
45a may be retained between the inner ring 30a and the magnet
42.
* * * * *